The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-24
MISSISSIPPI Sen fIIGAf.
WHAT OXFORD PEOPLE THINK
OF CONVICT LEASING.
The GAnbrell Murder Denounced
General Belief That q Revs.
Luton Has Bet In.
IsrEoiAL 70 TIE APPEAL.I

has long been regarded as ono OF the
central points in the State, at which
to gather the leading thought and
sentiment on any question Of public
moment agitating the minds Of the
people Of the Commonwealth. It's
people are cultured and refined. The
University Of the State being located
here, as we'll as a large female semi
nary, makes 1t quite a literary CEN
ter. There are more pretty houses,
and the streets are better kept than
in any town OF its size in the State.
The Federal Court for the Northern
District is located here, and in conse-
quence it has good supply of law
yers, some Of them the leaders OF the
State bar. IL has fine and produc.
tive country TO support it, and is q
good mercantile point. Ii is also the
home Of MissisSippi's, and as for that
the South's greatest statesman, Col.
Lamar, now Secretary OF the Interior.
Its hospitality and genuine welcome
ness TO visitors is proverbial aud the
line is not drawn on newspaper men.
As an evidence OF its open handed
generosity, the State Baptist Con.
vention, now in session, has brought
TO the town more than 800 strangers.
Committees met them at the depot
and assigned them TO private resi-.
dences; not one had 10 40 TO q hotel
without he wished TO. The APPEAL
correspondent, in conversation with
several OF the leading citizens, rcadi.
ly saw that they were much interest.
cd in the principal question which
has convulsed tho State for the past
three montbs-the killing Of Editor
Gambrell by Jonas Hamilton, the
causes leading TO the murder, sub
seQuent developments and the issue
which has been preoipated thereby
Other matters bearing on State po'
litics were also freely discussed and
commented upon.
There is but one sentiment here
as 10 the death Of Gambrell and tina,
is, that IL was nothing less than Q
coldblooded assassination. As e
whether that sentiment would be
carried into local affairs and affect
them one way or the other, there is .
diversity Of opinion. though the ma,
jority are ipolined 10 think that il
will have material weight in the ap.
preaching election. especially as e
members Of the Legislature.
The demand Tor the abolition Of
the penitentiary lease system is clam,
orous aud unanimous. Candidate,
for tho Governorship two year,
hence are but little discussed. Al
10 the United States Senatorship, al
are satisfied Tor Gen. Walthall Il
succeed himself.
The following is the manner 10
which some OF the representative cit.
liens talked in reply 10 questions on
the foregoing propositions. Man,
whose names are not given talked In
the same intelligent strain.
TIE HON. JOSEPH SHOWERS,
who ut ono time served the count,
10 efficiently in the Legislature, anC
Of present rs chairman OF the Demo
cratic Executive Committee, is ablJ
equipped for the position, beinJ
thoroughly acquainted with Stat,
politics, and q shrewd observer Of
affairs, talked freely. Said he, 1.-THE
lessee system Of the ponitoptiary il
altogether wrong, IL has had a bano.
full influence on tho administration
OF the States affairs, aud | am pretty
sure that the next Legislature viii
give IL immediate attention, which
will result In it's complete abolition
and placing the conduct OF the peni.
Tertiary directly under control OF
officers OF the State. The killing Of
Gambroll will figure largely in the
selection OF candidates for the Legis
lsture. In fact, | do not think thai
any man could be nominated, or Il
nominated, elected, who espresso
the least sympathy for Hamilton
Prohibition N an issue will no
enter into the campaign. + h,
county already has prohibition
though the attitude OF th,
candidates on that question
Is closely scruiiniEed aud undcrsi God
Another point On which our legisls
toss will be pledged is 10 submit
constitutional amendment providing
for an election Of judiciary, a ques
ton which has long been agitAtcd il
the State, aud IL likely TO be pusheS
10 q conclusion at the coming ses
sion. There are moro candidates fol
the several offices than there hav,
been Tor q dozen years. Eyerythin.
has not been IN harmonious IN tn,
executive committee ~ Il might hAv,
been. Some time ago n resolution
was passed by the committee inviting
al voters, regardless OF past aiFilia
tons, 10 participate in the comm
primary election, provided they a
FIRST pledged themselves 10 supper
the nominees. THIS plan was strong
ly opposed by several OF the mem
bers. Tho dissatisfaction Il Wa
working has happily been bridge,
over 10y the passage Of another reso
luton At yesterdays meeting, whic
declares that no votcs.shall b. count
cd for Any candidate who has NO
openly affiliated with the Democrat
party in the past two elections, bot
State and national. The primar
election will be- held on August 1871
A nomination is equal about TO a
election, unless the Agriculture lie
lief Association undertake 10 ru
ticket aud bring TO It's support th
dissa is6od elements, of which ther
are always more W less after ever
party primary. The negros have n
political organization Ia the count!
j cannot give yoD any prognosticu
tions o. to the next Governor hil
but he will be- o. new man and or
whom the people will expeo, TO IL
auguru,o radical reform 10 mar
things. All Of Ito candidates Tor n
Legislature iayor Goa. Wal,hall IL
senator
". v. SULLIVAN,
ono OF the most brilliant ATTORNEYS
North Mississippi, said: A rcyolr